You are Roku, the Demon Girl. A mysterious oni named Sam releases you from your icy bondage in the lowest level of Hell and helps you to escape by telling you were to go next and how to break through barriers to the upper levels. There are 9 Circles in Hell and therefore 9 distinct areas which Roku must race through to rise from the Underworld and once again walk the Earth. Each area will contain 4 stages, amounting to 36 levels of high speed action. Race against the clock, running down demons and monsters in your path, grabbing powerful, speed-increasing tokens, and avoiding all of the traps the Dark Lord and his minions put in your way. It is within your power to feel the warmth of the living world once again, but you must go NOW.
This is some concept art I did for part of the stairs leading to an altar where the main character is found at the beginning of the game. I'll be adapting it into pixel art. I think it turned out well! Unfortunately the image is a little dark.